RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas –
The old adage of "prepare for the worst and hope for the best" was why the "blood" on the bodies of the pre-Randolph Air Show Major Accident Response Exercise "victims" was realistically red and sticky. It was also why the "injuries" to their arms, legs and faces appeared graphic.
The injuries and blood were simulated, but nothing was fake about the intensity Team Randolph first responders showed in their rush onto the west flight line Wednesday at 8 a.m.
Shortly after the muffled blast of an explosion was heard, Randolph Fire and Emergency Services trucks, 12th Security Forces responders, ambulances, buses and 12th Medical Group Airmen showed to find a smoking, wrecked airplane piece.
The firemen, doctors, medics and emergency medical technicians also saw the simulated victims, lying on the flight line, writhing, moaning and screaming.
It was a result of a "mid-air collision" between two vintage warplanes - something that could happen at any air show.
As exercise evaluators observed, members of the Security Forces team cordoned off the area near the flight line and adjacent hangars and directed traffic. Then, first responders made their way through the throngs of victims, triaging and treating them on the scene and preparing them for simulated transport to a local military hospital.
The medical exercise evaluation team chief who oversaw the care and transport of the mass casualties said there's always a need to practice and drill on man-made disaster responses, especially before an air show that is expected to be packed with spectators.
"If and when the real thing happens, we want to be prepared," said Maj. Stephen Bradley, 12th MDG medical exercise evaluation team chief. "Readiness and teamwork were key today, because it's not just us out there. There are people from Services, Security Forces, Mortuary Affairs, Public Affairs and Civil Engineering. Everybody came together in a wing-level response and that's what would happen in a mass-casualty scenario."
Major Bradley added it took wing planners to about two months of meeting, planning and crafting the exercise's scenarios. His EET NCO-in-charge, Master Sgt. Gerrard Lawrence, added medical EET members applied moulauge wounds to more than 50 accident victim role-players early Wednesday morning in preparation for the day's exercise. Medical EET members also staged and briefed victims, many of whom were civilians, on their roles.
"It was a lot of work getting people in place and we really appreciate the efforts of the role-players," he said.
Overall, Major Bradley was pleased with the total 12th Flying Training Wing's response to the accident.
"It puts us in a good readiness posture for the air show and for the spectators' safety," he concluded.